Grid pasting and stacking machine



Aug. 12, 1941. e; w. BEEKMAN ETAL 1,252,473

. GRID PASTING' AND STACKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 17, 1938 16 Sheets-Sheet1 n67.) ATI'ORNEM ZL WQLM/ I 1941- E. w. BEEKMAN- ET AL 2,252,478

(IR ID PASTING' AND STACKING MACHINE I Filed Nov. 17, 1938 16Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOM' WM 44 3%; ATTORNEY 'Aug- 12, 1941- E. w.BEEKMAN ETAL 2,252,478

GRID PASTING AND STACKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 1?, 1938 16 Sheets-Sheet 4yj VENTORW 224; w/ 4/ Aflo N liw- A g- 9 1- E. w. BEEKMAN ETAL72,252,478

GRID PASTING AND STACKING MACHINE Filed NOV. 17, 1938 l6 Sheets-Sheet 5Aug. 12, 1941- E. w. BEEKMAN ETAL GRID PASTING AND STACKING MACHINEFiled Nov. 17,.1958

l6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR 4%. M M BY WM *3'4/ W'ATTORNEYL- 4 E. w.BEEKMAN ETAL. 2,252,478

GRID PASTING AND STACKING MACHINE Fil-ed Nov. 17, 1938 16 Sheets-Sheet 76 WWW g jfaiiw BY W ATToRNEw/ E. w. BEEKMAN ETAL GRID PASTING ANDSTACKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 17, 1958 16 Sheets-Sheet 8 II BY Aug. 12,1941.

E. W.-BEEKMAN ET AL 2,252,478 GRID PASTING AND STACKING MACHINE FiledNov. 17, 1938 l 16 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTORA M woz Aug. 12, 1941.

E, w. BEEKMAN Ei'AL I GRID PASTING AND STACKING MACHINE Filed NOV. 17,1,938

l6 Sheets-Sheet 1-0 GRID PASTING AND STACKING MACHINE Filed Nov; 17,1938 1e Sheets-Sheet 11 M 4 INVENZEM E. w. BEEKMAN EI'AL 2,252,478

GRID PASTING AND STACKING MAQHINE Filed Nov. 17, 1938 16- Sheets-Sheet12 Aug. 12, 1941.

Aug. 12, 1941- E. w. BEEKMA N EI'AL 2,252,478 I GRID PASTING ANDSTACKING MACHINE 1 Filed Nov. 17, 1938 1a Sheets-Sheet 1s MM@,4M. JEZ ZATTORNEW E. w. BEEKMAN ETAL 2,252,478

GiRID PASTING AND STACKING MACHINE INVENTOM M W Mg? Aug. 12, 1941. E w,E KMAN Em 2,252,478

GRID PASTING AND STACKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 17, 1938 1a Sheets-Sheet 15at My 4? /064 MM, loL A lgvgg'roag M BY- 27. w

Patented Aug. 12, 1941 Everett W. Beekman and Charles W. Jones,

Muncie, Ind., asjsignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich.,a corporation of Delaware ApplicationNovember 17, 1938, SerialNo.240,916

19 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for handling storage battery grids,and more particularly to grid handling apparatus used in conjunctionwith a grid pasting machines In the manufacture of storage batteries,pars ticularly for automobile use, it has beenv thepractice heretoforeto paste the storage battery grids while lying in a horizontal position.Generally the grids are propelled along a horizontal table or track froma magazine and then under ahopper ofpaste from which the paste is forcedby pressure into the interstices, of the grid. The grid then passesalong a track and is caused to contact with scrapers and spreaders whichcause the paste to be evenly distributed upon the grid. The grids thuspasted havebeen assembled manually in carriers or baskets, each holdinga p111 rality of grids, generally in upright position. These basketsfilled with grids, for example, thirty to a basket, are then placed upona carrier which carries the basket and grids throughadrying oven.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to eliminate themanual labor of removing the grids one at a time from the track uponwhich they are pasted and the stacking of the pasted grids into thebaskets. Therefore, the present invention is embodied in a grid handlingmechanism which removes the grids one at a time. from the track uponwhich they are pasted, turns each grid substantially 90 so that itwillbe, located in a vertical position and then places the grid in apair of suitable grooves provided by the basket; In connection with thisobject, it is a further object of the invention to transfer the gridsfrom the paste track to the baskets without dropping the grids into thebaskets. In order to accomplish this object, the disclosed. embodimentofthe invention includes an inclined plane down which the grids travelwhile the basket into which they have been entered travels in ahorizontal direction, i

A further object of the invention is to provide a basketconveyor whichmoves the basket by small increments, each increment being equal to thespacing of the grids when loadedupon the basket, whereby each pair ofgrid re ce'iving groovesprovided by thebasket is locatedinprop erposition to receive a grid when-supported verti'cally by the transferdevice which transfers'the grid from the pasting track to a position in.alignment with a pair of gridreceiving grooves of the basket, In thisway the grids aresuccessively lowered into positionto be receivedby thebasket, while the basket will have been moved through filled. Then thegrid conveyor moved automatically a greater distance through the sameincrement of time as before in order to: move the filled basket awayfrom the transfer device and to bring the first empty pair of gridreceiving grooves oi the next unloaded grid basket under the. next gridto be loaded. therein.

, A. further object of the invention is torprovide for automaticallyfeeding empty grid: baskets to the grid conveyor: from a magazine orinclined chute.

A stilli further object, of the: invention is to pro vgie for the:conveyance to a container of the, excess paste which is; removed by thespreaders and scrapers, from the grids as. they passed along the pastingtrack. A belt conveyor is. providedv for receiving; and, carrying suchexcess paste to a container from which the paste may be removed andreturneditothe pasting hopper.

Broadly speaking, it. is the object of the invention to, provide. agrid: pasting machine; coordinated with, a grid handlingdevice wherebyphysical contact between the workman and uncured pasted grids or thewaste paste of: themachine is avoided with beneficial results not. onlywith respect to theeconomy of manufacture of storage battery grids, butalso with respect to the health of the workmen who are required toattend to the pasting of the grids, While being in the, environment 0tstorage battery grid paste which contains oxides of lead is notnecessarily a hazardous occupation, it is prudent to reduce exposure ofthe skin to contact with lead oxides to a minimum, The present.equipment. makes possible the handling of grid paste and uncured pastedgrids automatically without requiring direct handling by the operator.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will beapparentfrom the following description, reference being had to.- the accompany:ing drawings wherein a. preferred embodiment of the present invention isclearly shown.

lnthedrawingsz.

r Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the grid pasting machineand gridhandling equipment, this being viewed from. the front and basket-loadingend-oi the machine, the baskets being omitted for the sake ofclearness.

Fig. 2 is a. perspective view similar. to Fig, 1

but ison a slightly larger scale and shows only a v f-C serves to engagea grid a vertical plane which would be approximately on the line 8-8 ofFigs, 10 and 11.

Figs. 10 and 11, taken together constitute a sectional View takenapproximately on theline 9-H of Figs. 8 and 9.

Figs. 12 and 13, taken together constitute a sectional View takenapproximately on the. line :2-42 of Figs. 6 and '7.

Fig. 14 is a sectional View taken approximately on the line HS-i i ofFig. 6.- W V Fig. 15 is a sectional View taken approximately, on theline i5l5 of Fig. 14.

v Fig. 161s a sectional view on the line. Iii-46 of Fig. 6 and is drawnto a larger scale than. Fig. 6.

. Fig. l7is a diagram of the operating mecha.-.

nism of the machine. 7

Fig. 18' is a chart giving dimensions of various gears and sprocketsrepresented diagrammatically in Fig. 17. v

Referring first to Figs;.-1, and 2; the machine comprises a main base 39supporting a grid basket conveyor base 31, a right side frameBZR and aleft side frame 32L (see also Figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13)." Frames 32R and.L 'supporta pair of front brackets 33R and L and a pair of rearbrackets StR and L, '(seealso Fig. 14). These brackets support gridconveyor rails 35R and L, which, in turn, support cover. plates 35R andL. Therails 35R andL are provided with longitudinally extending grooveseach' for receiving one of the conveyor chains 6A of an endlesschaingrid conveyor. The two chains 6A are-connected atregularly spacedintervals by cross bars 66. The rail 35R and the cover plate 38Rcooperate to provide a longitudinally extending groove 37R and the rail35L and the plate 36L provide a longitudinally extending groove-ML. Thegrooves 31R and I receive the edge portions of the grids G (see Fig.

2) while they are being'conveyed from right to left as viewed in Fig. 2.Each conveyor crossbar and move it along the rails 35R and L. 1

The plates 36R and L support a magazine 50 which receives a'stack ofgrids G which gravitate against a feeding pusher plate-4i mountedbetween rails 35R and L and guided'thereby for horizontal reciprocatorymovement, which is effected by a rotary shaft 5A supported by "a bracket42 attached to the side frames 32R and L Shaft iirdrivesa crank disc 43carrying a crank pin n} connected by a linkfldwith a pin 38 carried bybracket attached" to the pusher plate-cl." Plate ii is provided witha'shoulder 48 engageable witlr'the right-hand edge of the lowermost gridG so that that gridwill be pushed from the magazine ifit'oward the left.As the lowermost grid G moves toward the left, it engagesan arm- 56pivoted atSi-upoh a bracket-52 and urged clockwise by a spring 53;.Tl'lis a'rm urges the-grid downwardly toward the conveyor chain 6A andurges the grid intoenga gern'e'ntwith the top surfaces of the rails 35RandLQ which de fine the parts-of the grid receiving grooves 3'iR and L'.The motion of the pusher 4! toward the ing filled with paste (see Fig.9).

left is sufficient to cause the right-hand edge of the grid G to clearthe stop surface 54 of the arm 50. Therefore, when the pusher bar 4| ismoved toward the right away from the grid which it has deposited, thegrid cannot follow the pusher bar 4| back toward the right because therighthand edge of the grid will be engaged by the surface 54 of the arm50.

After the grid has been placed upon the rails 35R and L in the mannerdescribed, the grid i propelled toward the left, as viewed in thedrawings, by means of the bars BC which connect the grid conveyor chains6A. As the grids move along, they pass successively under a paste hopper60, from the bottom of which paste is deposited under pressure by paste.propeller 6i driven by a shaft 62. In alignment with the hopper islocated a plate 63 which supports the grid between the rails 35R and L,while the grid is be- Then the grids pass into contact with a spreaderand with scrapers 8i and 82 which remove the excess paste which dropsupon a paste conveyor to be described. Paste propeller shaft 62 issupported by a vertically adjustable bracket 54 and a nonadjustablebracket 55, these brackets being supported by a pedestal (it which restsupon the machine base 36. Pedestal 66 supports an electric motor 6!driving a pinion G3 meshing with a gear 69 driving a shaft 70 which isconnected with the shaft 62 by gearing enclosed within a housing 1!.With this gearing, the shaft 62 has a longitudinally-splined connectionpermitting the shaft 52 to be raised and lowered, while remaining indriving connection with the gearing which connects it with shaft 1. Thissplined connection provides for the raising and lowering of the pastehopper 60 which is attached to a bracket Ha to which the bracket 64 isalso attached. The bracket Ha slides between ways i2 provided by thepedestal 66 and may be secured in the desired position of adjustment byclamping bars 13 and M.

Referring to Fig. 8, the grids G are pushed individually by the gridconveyor bars 60 until the bars 60 leave the grid grooves 3TB. and L andthen the grids are propelled toward the left by pushing one against theother. Finally the grids G leave the grid grooves 31R and L entirely;and, as they do so, they are each caught successively by a-pair ofguiding arms (see Figs. 1 and 2) which locate each grid so as to becaught up by the grid transfer device which causes each grid to beturned practically 90 and brought into a position Where the grid isentered into a pair of grid receiving notches B1 of a grid basket B, asshown in Fig. 2.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 16, the grid transfer device 90 comprisesbracket SIR and L supported on shelves 92R and L integral with gridbasket conveyor frame 3|. Brackets NR and L support respectivelybearings 93R and L for a shaft 94 which is driven through a sprocketgear l9 attached to a hub 85 which is carried on the shaft 94. Shaft 94drives transfer wheels 96R, and'L which together support nine pairs ofplunger brackets 91R and L, in turn supporting bushings 98R and L, whichare closed by screw plugs 99R and L. These bushings and plugs provide,respectively, for the support of plungers IUDR and L which are guidedfor horizontal sliding movement. Plungers IDBR and L are provided,respectively, with shoulders IUIR and L against which springs 12R and L,respectively, bear. The right-hand plunger IBGR is, therefore, urgedtoward the right against a. segmental camplate IDSRsupported by "a cam"plate bracket III4R= attached tothe bracket SIR. The cam plate ID3Rcanbe adjusted in a'horizontal direction paraI-Iel to the axis of shaft94 by means of bushing 15R. threaded into the bracket IMRandbearing-"against the right-hand edge of the segmental cam plate IMR.The plate Ill-3R can be 'cl amped againstthe threaded bushing 15R by a'bolt IdR. When the bolt IIIBR is tightened, the rotation otthe bushingIR is prevented. Similarly, the plunger IDOL bears againstfasegmentalcamplate I03L supported by a carhplate bracket IIML attached to thebracket 91L. Plate I03-L can be adjusted in a horizontal directionparallel to the axis of the shaft 94 by means of a bushing I05L threadedinto the bracket IML and secured inthe desired position by means of abolt I06L which extends throughthe bushing III5L and is threaded intothe carn plate IB3L. The plunger I'IlIl-R is providedwith a plunger tipIIIIR having notched bosses I 08" which are located on diametricallyopposite sides of the axisof plunger IUDR. The plunger I OI'IL isprovided with a separate plunger tiptWL which carries projections I09located ondiametrically opposite sides of the axis of the plunger IDOL.The projections I09 define a notch I III which is in substantialalignment with the symmetrical axis of notches of the two notchedbossesI08 of the plunger tip HR. The plunger tip IIl'IL is provided with ashank III which hash. sl'iding'fit with the plunger extension I i-'2 ofthe -plunger NHL. The shank III is provided with a slot H3 whichreceives a pin I14; carried by the plunger extension 2-. A spring I I-5tends to urge the plunger tip IIIIL towardthe right-hand plunger tipIll'IR.

Fig. 1-6 shows'the plunger tips HR and Lin position for grippinga grid.Before these tips are-ingrid gripping position, their respectiveplungers; IOU-R and L are located out of contact with the cams IBSR? andL, as will be apparent in Fig. -2 for example, where the right-hand endsof the plunger I 0BR are clearly shown. The transfer wheels 95R and Lrotate counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 2, thereby causing plungersI'EIGR and L to be brought into contact successively with the inclinedentering surfaces IIJ3R1 and-1031.1, respectively, of the cams "HR andL. Surface I-03R1 is shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and surface I'll'3L1 isshown in Fig. 8. In this way the cams 13R and L operate to move theplungers IilIlR and Ltowardthe grid. The cams HR and L- are so shaped asto cause the plunger tips I G I R and L to pick up a grid just as it islocated upohthe guiding fingers, 85 (see Figs. 2 and 8). The gridsremain gripped by the pairs of plunger tipsgas shown in Fig. 2, duringapproximately 90 of movement of the transfer wheels 96R and L, whichmovement will cause each grid to be moved-into a'substantially verticalposition, as shown in Fig. 2 The grid is not then released y-fj th bb eb' nger tips, but these tips are caused t'o be rotatedrelative to theirsupporting brackets -l-IlIR and L in such a manner that, while the"transfer wheels are rotated, the grids will belowered' in asubstantially vertical direction and will be guided into the gridreceiving grooves Brofbasket B before the gripping tips Illl-R and L arerelased from the grid. Fig. 2 shows a grid-marked G1 which has beencarried by the grippers NR and L into position wherein the lower edge'ofthe grid starts to engage with guiding fingers I; As the transfer wheels96B and L continue to rotate counter-clockwise, the plungers IODR and L,when in this position, begin to. rotate clockwise in order that the gridmay be moved substantially vertically downward- 1y; although theplungers are moved in the arc of a circle. This vertical movement iseffected by producing rotation of at least one of the bushings 98R andL. In the disclosed embodimentthe bushing 98R, shown in Fig. 16, isfixed toa clamp arm I2I, the end I22 of which (see Fig. 3) is engageablewith the lobe I 23A of a stationary cam. The follower I22 is urgedagainst: the cam lobe I23A by a spring I24 having one. end attached tothe wheel 96R and the other end attached to a screw pin I25 extendingthrough a slot I26 in the bracket 91R and screwed into the bushing 983..By the time the grid shown at- G1 in Fig. 2 has been entered into thepair of grid receiving grooves B1 of basket B immediately below the gridG1, the plungers IIUR and L will have arrived at the ends of the camsI'IIGR and L. The end of cam III3R is indicated at IIl3R-i in Fig. 2.

As shown in Figs. 8, l4 and 16, the grid basket B comprises side platemembers B2 and B3 joined by integral cross members B4 and B5. The platesB2 and B3 are provided with oppositely located pairs of parallel ribs E6so spaced as to provide pairs of grid receiving grooves B1 which includethe notches B1 provided at the upper edges of the plates B2 and B3 toprovide for the reception of the grid tangs. The lower edges of theplates B2 and- B3 are provided with inwardly extending flanges B7 uponwhich the lower edges of the grids rest. At the time a grid is releasedby the transfer device 30 it will have been entered substantially into apair of gridreceiving grooves Bl but the grid is not allowed to dropimmediately upon the flanges B7 of the plates B2 and B: because the gridwould receive a severe shock sufiicient to jar the grid paste loose.Therefore, there is provided an inclined structure or ramp I30 which isstraddled by the grid basket B as'it moves along from right to left by aconveying mechanism to be described. Upon reference to Figs. 2, 3 and8', it will be seen that as the grids are being carried along toward theleft by the baskets, the

grids must follow the grid engaging flanges I3I provided by the ramp-I30; Therefore, the grids gradually descend to the bottom of the basketwhere they finally rest upon the flanges Bq there of. Therefore, thegrids are handled in a manner which prevents them from receiving a shocksuch as would jar the grid paste loose.

The grid baskets B are conveyed toward the left in Figs. 2 and 8 by gridconveying mechanism which will now be described. The grid conveyorcomprises a pair of conveyor chains 2IA to the links of which areattached angle plates I40 shown in Figs. 8 and 14. The plates I40support the baskets B and those portions of chains ZIA which aresupporting baskets B are supported on track surfaces I4I inserted in thegrid conveyor frame 3I'. As shown in Fig. 8, the chains 2IA are providedat regularly spaced intervals with lugs I42 which engage the baskets B.The chains ZIA pass around pairs of driving sprockets 2I, pairs ofnormally idle sprockets, 22 and pairs of slack take-up sprockets 2IBpivotally supported by arms I l?v attached to a rod I44 which, as shownin Fig. 2,, carries anfarm I45 provided with an arcuate slot Hi6 throughwhich passes a bolt I41 threaded. into the frame 31. In this way the armI45 can be clamped intothe' desired position of adjustment and thetake-up sprockets ZIBl'ocated in the position required for taking upslack in the chains 2 IA. Sprockets 2|, which are normally, the drivingsprockets, are fixed to a shaft i5!) which is drivenat a constant rateof speed and a speed such that the baskets B will be moved the distancebetween adjacent pairs of grid grooves B1, while the transfer wheels 96Rand L move A; revolution. As each basket B. has a capacity ,of thirtygrids, it is apparent that means must be provided for shifting thebasket after it has been filled to a distance sufficient to bring thefirst adjacent pair of empty grid grooves Er into alignment withadescending grid allduring the next succeeding ,6 revolution of the gridtransfer wheels 96R and L. To accomplish this extra movement (which ispreferably sixtimes the distance between adjacent grid grooves 131),there is provided a mechanism which is effective immediatelyfollowingthe filling of a grid basket with thirty grids to effect thisextra movement of the basket conveyor HA. The mechanism which efiectsthis additional movementoperates through the shaft I5! which carries thesprockets 22. This mechanism will be described later. As

the baskets move along, lateral shifting move- :15

ment thereof is prevented by plates 152 (see Figs. 2 and 3) which engagethe side walls of the baskets. Any accidental upward movement of thegrid baskets B is prevented by stationary bars I53 which are engageablewith the horizontally extending flanges Ba provided by the side Walls ofthe baskets.

The mechanism for operating the grid handling devices will now bedescribed with particular reference to Figs. 17 and 18 as well as otherfigures.

An electric motor I80 (see Fig.9) which is supported upon the base 39,drives a pulley or sprocket gear 2 through a gear reduction. While theparticular speed of operation of the mechanism is immaterial, it may benoted that satisfactory operation is effected with the use of anelectric motor which operates at approximately 1700 R. P. M. armatureshaft speed. The armature shaft of the motor is geared to the sprocketwheel 2 through a 55 to 1 gear reduction, causing the gear 2 to rotateapproximately 30.92 R. P'. M. as indicated by Fig. 18. Sprocket 2 drivessprocket 71 through sprocket chain 2A. The ratio of this drive is .12 to53, as indicated by Fig. 18. Therefore, the speed of rotation of thegear I is substantially '7 R. P. M. Gear "I is fixed to a shaft IfiI(see Figs. 9 and 13) which supports and is drivingly connected withsprocket gears ii and 8. The shaft IGI is journalled in bearings 162Rand L, carried by side frames 32R and L respectively, and is alsojournalled in a bearing I53 carried by bracket 164 supported by themachine base Shaft IliI supports and drives a gear 9 meshing with anidle gear ii journalled on a stub shaft HA carried by the side frame32L. Idle gearII drives gear M which is mounted upon and which drivesthe shaft I552, shown in Figs. 8, 12 and 13. The shaft I5ii issupportedin bear ing brackets IEEJA provided by the gear bracketconveyor frame 3!. The ratio of gearing of the train of gears Ii and Mis such that the gear I4 is rotated at 2 R. P. M. at which speed thegears 2!. which normally drive thegrid basket conveyor chains 2i'A. willbe rotated. Gear I4 is drivingly connected with the shaft l 5t through aone-way driving connection which comprises a pawl MB pivotally supportedon a plate MA drivingly connected with the gear I i. Pawl MB cooperateswitha 32 tooth ratchet wheel IfiC,

which is drivingly connected with the shaft I58. 75

In this way the gear I4 is provided with a one way. drive to the shaftI50, but the shaft I50 may be rotated by other means at a rate fasterthan it could be driven by the gear I4.

Shaft I6I drives sprocket gear 8 connected by sprocket chain 8A with asmall gear H which is journalled on the shaft I50, but is not driventhereby. The gear I! drives through a hub I'IA the sprocket gear I5,also loose on the shaft I50. Gear I5 drives through a sprocket chain I5Aa small gear H) which is journalled on the shaft IE! but isnot driventhereby. Gear I is connected through a sleeve IDX with an eccentric IDA.The ratio of the gear train including gears 8, Il, I and I0 is such thatthe eccentric IOA will be rotated at the rate of '70 R. P. M. Theeccentric IDA cooperates with an eccentric strap I013 which is connectedby an eccentric rod IIlC connected with a lever IUD carrying pawl IIIEwhich cooperates with a disc IUF (see also Fig. 12). Disc IIiF isprovided with a single notch EGG for receiving the pawl so that the pawlIIIE may drive the disc IIlF only once during a revolution of the discIUF. The lever IIJD is journalled on a stud shaft I attached to basketconveyor base 3|. Shaft I'IU provides a bearing for the disc IIlF whichdrives sprocket gear 20 connected by a sprocket chain 20A with sprocket2913 which is fixed to shaft I5I, which supports sprockets 22. Sprockets20B, 2I and 22 each have 15 teeth. When these sprockets make onerevolution, the basket conveying chain 2IA will have been moved during adistance suflicient to bring all 30 of the pairs of grid receivinggrooves B1 of each basket B into grid receiving relation with thetransfer device 99. The gear has 18 teeth while the gear 203 has 15teeth. Therefore, when the gears 22 have made one revolution, the gear20 will have made or of a revolution. At the end of this revolution, thenotch IIlG of disc IilF will have been brought into alignment with thefree end of pawl IOE, whereupon the pawl IGE will be urged into thenotch IIJG by a suitable spring IIJH. Then during the followingoscillation of the eccentric rod IUC toward the left in Fig. 1'7, theplate IUD will be rotated 60 or of a revolution, thereby carrying thedisc i015 and the gear 20 through the remaining revolution. Theremaining revolution takes place during the same period of time requiredfor ,4; of a revolution of the transfer wheels 96R and L or the timerequired for that increment of movement of the chain 2IA a distanceequal to 'the spacing between adjacent'pairs of grid receiving groovesB1 of the basket B. The 60 movement of the gear 20 causes a 72 movementof the gear 22 since the ratio is 18 to 15 or 6 to 5. Therefore, thegear 22 is momentarily driven by gear 20 at aspeed 6 times as fast as itis normally driven by the gear 2I and conveyor chains ZiA (normal speedis of a revolution, or 12 between consecutive grid loadings onto abasket). Therefore, the chains 2IA are driven by gear 20 at a speedfaster than they can be driven by the shaft I and pawl Mb. The 30 toothratchet MC simply moves ahead of the pawl Mb by spacing equivalent to 6ratchet teeth. The baskets are driven, therefore, ahead 6 grid groovespaces B1 which is a distance sufficient to move the filled basket outof the way and to bring the first pair of grid receiving grooves B1 ofthe next basket to be filled into alignment with a grid which is beingvertically lowered by the transfer device 90. Then the mechanismcontinues to operate in the normal way until this next basket hasreceived 30

